Q. What Does Choku Bai Jo Mean?
A. Direct Selling Place, In Japanese, we have taken this name from similar outlets in Japan.

Q. Why is Choku Bai Jo open unusual hours?
A. We are Open 2pm-7pm Mon to Fri and 8am-1pm Sat, So we can pick fresh produce for the shop every day. Also we can pick up produce from other producers in the morning and sell it in the afternoon. It also cuts down our costs with us only open 30hrs per week we have lower over head costs and can then afford to sell produce cheaper.

Q. Why is this such a simple, non sexy web site?
A. We try to grow and sell the best organic produce at the best prices, we don't pretend this is a great web site we use it purley to give you information out our shop.

Q. Does the shop only sell Organic Produce?
A. No we also sell conventionally grown produce, but everything that has a green label is certified organic, grown by us or grown by people we trust to be chemical free.

Q. Do you sell imported fresh produce?
A. No unlike our competitors we do not sell imported produce at all so you wont find; Chinese garlic, Mexican oranges, South African snow peas or any other imports. We choose not to sell imported produce because we believe that Australian farmers grow the best fresh food in the world and they deserve our support.

Q. Can I sell my produce to Choku Bai Jo?
A. Yes we will buy produce of local producers, even if you only have one tree and want to sell small amounts of fruit we can help you.

Q. Do you always accept produce people want to sell you?
A. No, sometimes we have over supplies of certain products, a good example is pumpkin, everyone wants to sell it to us at the same time. We try to be fair to all people but sometimes we have to say no.

Q. Where are your shops located?
A. We have two shops, our original outlet is in the North Lyneham shops off Cossington Smith Cres and our 2nd shop is at the Curtin Shops

Q. Why do some of your products have food miles and others not?
A. We only advertise food miles (KMS) on produce we get direct from the grower, this way we know the distance travelled. Also for processed foods it is a little more difficult as foods may be grown locally but processed in another state.

Q.When is the best day to get the freshest fruit and veg?
A. Gleann na Meala Produce is picked daily for the shop, produce from picton is picked up on Mondays and Wednesdays, apples from Batlow are generally late in the week, and our produce from the Sydney markets is picked up on Mondays and Thursdays. All in all everyday is good. But if there is something in particular you are waiting on please ask a member of staff.

Q.Who runs Choku Bai Jo?
A. Choku Bai Jo was set up by the Pentonys of Gleann na Meala, who have been a major part of the farmers Market movement in Canberra, they have had stall at both farmers markets from the start. Dave Pentony through the Rotary Club of Hall started the Capital region Farmers Markets at EPIC, Paddy Pentony set up the Southside Farmers Markets at Phillip. Although Paddy no longer runs this market Gleann na Meala is still represented there each week. So the store is run by a local family that understand local growers.

Q. Why should I shop at Choku Bai Jo?
A. To support local farmers and local businesses, to learn what is available in season in Australia, to get good prices on Great fresh foods. Also If you want to have a low impact on the environment Choku Bai Jo is one of the most environmentally friendly places you can shop. We recycle, reuse, have low food miles and support organic growers.

Q. is every thing sold at Choku Bai Jo Australian produced?
A. No, some of our grocery Items are imported, things like Himalayan Rock Salt and Quinoa grain can not be sourced from Australian producers. Also some Organic Grocery lines are imported, we do try and support Australian companies as much as possible but in this emerging industry we do have to sell some imported products.